Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 16, 1973)
Things to think about way before you go PASSPORTS Every American citizen who travels out of the U.S. is required to have a U.S. passport (Mexico and Canada excepted). If you already have a valid passport, check to see that it will remain valid for the period you will be overseas. YOU SHOULD APPLY FOR A PASSPORT AS SOON AS YOU KNOW THAT YOU WILL BE LEAVING THE U.S. December or January is not too early if you plan to leave this summer. Before applying you must have (a) proof of citizenship, (b) identification card, (c) two duplicate photographs of yourself, not over 3” x 3” nor less than 2>/2” x 2 V, taken within the past two years. Proof of citizenship and two passport photographs must be presented to the county clerk where you will fill out your application for passport. The fee is $12.00, and it takes approximately one week to ten days to be processed. The local County Clerk offices are located at Lane County Court house, 8th and Oak, Eugene. The passport is good for 5 years and cannot be renewed. Proof of citizenship should be in the form of a CERTIFIED COPY of your birth record. This document may be obtained for $1-2 fee from the clerk of the county in which you were born. For other proof of citizenship you may use a previous passport, baptismal certificate, Department of State Birth Affidavit, or naturalization papers. Anything you wish to use must have a seal stamped on it. Identification is also required when applying for a passport. Documents such as a driver’s license or an O.L.C.C. card are acceptable. Photographs are required with the passport application and must meet the size requirements stated above. A group picture is preferred when a wife and-or children are included in the passport. The International Education Center (IEC) will recommend an inexpensive photographer upon request. VISAS AND TOURIST CARDS A visa is an endorsement in your passport which allows you to visit the country concerned. A visa is a separate document; therefore, you must present your passport (valid for at least one month beyond the date you will leave the country for which your visa is being requested) in order to receive a visa from the appropriate consulate. Be sure to sign your passport. If you travel in Western Europe, Israel, and Turkey, your passport is all that’s necessary, unless your visit extends beyond two or three months in any one country. (In Scandinavia, the three-month period begins when the visitor enters any of the countries that compose it — namely, Finland, Sweden, Norway or Denmark). For a longer stay, you will need a visa, just as you will for any visit to the Soviet Union, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. A tourist card is a separate document issued in lieu of a visa for most South American countries, or it is ussued where no passport is required, as in Central American countries. Most European countries do not require visas, although a few require visas after a three month period. Whenever sending your passport through the mail, we urge you to use Registered Mail. Your passport is one of the most valued possessions, and it is difficult to replace. Your passport is your most important possession. Don’t lose it. The best suggestion we have is to keep it on you at all times. ON YOU means exactly that. Many a person has been ripped off by leaving their passport in their purse or rucksack. Unexpected accidents may occur, and that is the best recognized identity card for any situations that might occur. If you plan to travel in countries requiring pictures for visas you should take along several photos. The International Student LD. Card Entitles students to discounts and student reductions at many theatres, concert halls, shops and most museums. Especially valuable to students for intra-European student charter flights, student railpass, low cost tours, camp sites, holiday cen ters, accommodations in student hotels, meals in student restaurants, student ships, etc. The International ID card is not necessarily useful at every theatre, museum, etc., some places just do not offer student discounts. But always flash the card and ask for a discount. To be eligible for 1973 ID cards (valid until Dec. 31,1973) you must be a full-time student, enrolled at least one term of the academic year (students who graduate during the 72-73 academic year are eligible provided they attended at least one quarter full-time during the last year). Required: Proof of full-time enrollment for at least one quarter: paper ID (registration receipt, not plastic ID!) or officially stamped letter from the Admissions Office. Small passport size photo (machine photos are acceptable). Cost: $2.00. CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE Associated Students Travel Service, Trident Lounge, issuing agents for CIEE. Odds & ends IMPORTANT In order to show that you are financially responsible, it is a good idea to have at least $100.00 in travelers checks (or local currency) on you when you enter any country. TRAVELERS CHECKS are better than cash. Accepted almost everywhere, replaceable if lost or stolen, inex pensive to buy. Best are American Express and Cook’s because both have offices throughout the world where numerous services are available to their customers. Tip: Keep watch for U.S. banks offering free travellers check service as a promotional gimmick — good bargain! Get the checks in various denominations and very, very important — keep a record of the serial numbers in a safe place, separate from the checks themselves, so if you need to have them replaced, you can supply the numbers. You can obtain a handy directory from American Express, listing the addresses of their offices. Cashing your checks: Hint: Rates are usually better if you cash your checks at banks rather than at American Express, rail stations, change booths or in shops, hotels or restaurants, since a service charge may be deducted. MAJOR CREDIT CARDS These are honored in many places and are often good for cash advances. BankAmericards, Master Charge, Carte Blanche, and American Express credit cards are generally honored. Some gasoline cards are also accepted. Many airline credit cards offer cash advances in many countries. Check with your credit card company before you go. WIRING MONEY is very risky and can be disastrous. However, if necessary, your best bet is a direct transfer from your bank to a local European bank. Also, if your bank has international offices, you may be able to make deposits or withdrawals just like here. Check it out first. You can also have money cabled from an American Express office in the U.S. to one of their bureaus abroad, for a fee. EXCHANGE RATES vary significantly depending on where you go. To keep from getting skinned, learn beforehand the current official exchange rate. Keep your fingers crossed and hope that there is not a major currency devaluation while you are abroad, because you’ll find your budget may need a sharp revision. CUSTOMS HINTS The best advice is to suggest that you send for U.S. Customs booklet, Know Before You Go, available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, oooklet number 1970-0-407-788. The cost is 35c. This booklet contains customs hints for returning U.S. residents and helpful information that can save you a lot of grief and aggravation. There are many angles involved in customs and you by no means can count on logic or common sense to help you anticipate the various restrictions and policies. For details on customs procedures and regulations in a given country, direct specific questions to the respective consulate here in the U.S. or when traveling, stop in at their local em bassy or consulate before entering the country, if you are in doubt. There are quite a few duty-free ports where you can mail your treasures to your friends or family before you leave Europe. Be sure to check these ports out. You can save a great deal off your customs charges. INSURANCE It is very wise to have overseas insurance. You never can tell. If you already have health and ac cident insurance, be sure to find out the full par ticulars: If it is good overseas, whether the payments are made after you return, etc. Some policies make you pay while you’re still in the country you’re visiting. Plan ahead. Find out what is included and excluded. The. I EC has a recommended policy for Students and teachers that covers accident and sickness benefits. Copies are available in room 202 EMU
